A new and exciting partnership with industry was unveiled at a special launch at our Construction Centre in Rainham on Thursday.

Drylining experts Measom have joined the college to boost employability by offering taster courses and beginner Drylining courses for students in a unique, newly-constructed training area.

Special guests, including local MP Jon Cruddas, Lord Watson of Invergowrie and London Assembly member Keith Prince, heard how the partnership is creating a Drylining Centre of Excellence at Rainham which will develop talent and provide properly qualified and expertly trained people to the fast-growing trade of drylining.

Measom Managing Director Andrew Measom said: “This is a ground-breaking partnership which is giving us the exciting opportunity to educate young people in a trade that is not typically offered at colleges. Drylining is a modern-day plastering but it is an undervalued trade in the industry. The reality is, however, that there is a lucrative career in drylining where specialists can earn up to £50,000 a year.”

Andrew went on to explain that the construction industry is in the middle of a revolution where ipads are replacing architects’ drawings and super technical equipment is now common-place on sites.

He told the audience: “As the industry changes, we need to move forward and change too in order to drive through a different delivery process to recruit properly qualified dryliners.”

The new courses at Rainham will start next year and will be short six-week courses taught by a Measom specialist. The successful students will be offered an interview giving them the opportunity of an apprenticeship with Measom where they will work with experienced dryliners on live projects.

Colin Seabrook, College Head of Department for Construction & Building Services, said: “The construction industry is ever-evolving so we need industry experts working in the college with us.

“The partnership with Measom is really exciting. The prospect of having their highly skilled staff training our students is a wonderful opportunity. It will help us reach young people who are interested in a career in construction and it offers the college access to a major local and national employer. Following successful completion of the course, the college students will have the best opportunities for future employment.”

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